11 WHITE 2. LITHUANIA’S DEFENCE POLICY IN A CHANGED SECURITY ENVIRONMENT 2.1. The main pillars of Lithuania’s defence policy The main goal of Lithuania’s defence policy remains unchanged – to ensure a credible defence of Lithuanian independence, territorial integrity and constitutional order. In addition, being a NATO and EU member, Lithuania, together with its Allies, has a responsibility for the security of the Euro-Atlantic space and contributing to international security and stability. Taking into account the long-term challenges to Lithuania’s security and its international commitments, Lithuania’s defence policy has four main pillars. Main pillars of Lithuania‘s defence policy 1. Strengthening of national defence capabilities 2. Strengthening of NATO collective defence and deterrence 3. Strengthening of civil and state preparedness for military and non-military threats 4. Contribution to regional and international security The first and most important pillar of Lithuania’s defence policy is the strengthening of its national defence capabilities, which are based on the Lithuanian Armed Forces (LAF). The LAF, together with its Allies, must be prepared to deter or, if deterrence fails, to defend Lithuania individually and together with Allies. Russia’s aggression against Georgia and the Ukraine and its attempts to undermine the rules-based security architecture in Europe means that existential threats to Lithuania’s security remain and that a response to these threats should be the foundation of the Lithuanian defence policy. Total and unconditional defence is the main principle of Lithuanian defence meaning that all national resources will be used to defend the State and that every citizen and the entire nation will resist in every way defined as legitimate by international law. Defence of Lithuania is not a subject to any conditions, and no one can inhibit the right of the nation and every citizen to resist an aggressor. Lithuania will defend its sovereignty and resist all aggression independently and without waiting until Allied support is provided Analysis of the conflicts in Georgia and the Ukraine shows Russia’s advanced development of A2/AD capabilities, and its capability to use covert military tactics, as well as a constant presence of very high readiness military capabilities close to Lithuania borders, allows one to make an assump- PA P E R